Eric Trump Drops ABC Over "bulls--- hit piece," Backs FCC Probe into Revised Story

Eric Trump Backs Sen. Bernie Moreno's Call for FCC Probe into ABC News' False Report on Family's Pentagon Anduril Contract Ties.

Eric Trump supported a federal investigation into a false ABC News story about his family's business dealings with defense contractor Anduril Industries.

Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, has asked the FCC to investigate what led to a false report on the Disney-owned network's website last week titled "Trump Sons' Investments Have Earned Billions in Pentagon Contracts Since His Election." This report was first deleted without explanation and then republished with a correction.

"Thank you @berniemoreno - can't wait to participate!" Eric Trump reacted on Monday at X.

ABC News removes 'hit piece' on Trump sons' Pentagon investments without explanation

He continued: "You can't put out a hit piece, let it go viral, then 24 hours later take it down under cover of darkness with no explanation or apology. Who approved it? Was the writer fired? @ABC owes us an answer."

In a letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, Moreno demanded answers about the network's report, questioning whether ABC News breached its obligations as a broadcaster.

"So, I'm asking the commission to open a formal investigation into the political work of ABC News. We need to know who signed off on the publication of this false story, who may have benefited from this attack, and whether ABC News' conduct violated its obligations as a licensee," Moreno said.

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The letter followed ABC News' decision to remove a report examining investments linked to Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. Wednesday's original article alleged that companies linked to the president's sons had secured billions of dollars in government contracts, including through venture capital firm 1789 Capital.

Moreno specifically challenged the original report's description of Endoril's financing, arguing that the network misrepresented the company's investment activity and unfairly linked the Trump family to federal contracting decisions.

The dispute centered on ABC News' original claim that 1789 Capital, where Trump Jr. serves as a partner, secured a major strike in Anduril through a $2.5 billion investment. The figure instead reflects Anduril's broader fundraising round, while 1789 Capital's investment was roughly $50 million.

The ABC logo on the Network Building in Manhattan, New York, on July 6, 2024. (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto)

ABC News published a substantially revised article on Friday, acknowledging errors related to investments, government contracts and timing of events. The updated version also clarifies that Trump Jr. does not serve on the company's investment decision-making committee. "New shipbuilding agency announced amid earlier Democratic concerns about potential conflicts of interest," the new headline said, though the reporter's byline was replaced by "ABC News."

ABC News did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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